Robert was struggling with daily mobility until robotic spine surgery saved the day(s). Learn more about Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Dr. Anthony Leone’s Knowledge Center.

Local now-retired truck driver Robert Russo had back pain as a result of spinal stenosis. He tried everything from spine decompression to physical therapy. While these actions helped, Robert says the pain would come back. Dr. Leone explained the robotic spine surgical procedure to Robert. Via small incisions, Dr. Leone explains the nerve will be decompressed, move the bones to their proper location and install screws and rods. See Robert’s success story here:

Low back pain has been linked with a lack of strength along with endurance. Patients can greatly benefit from even a six to twelve minute walk daily to keep the back muscle strengthened. Patients who do not stay active can find themselves in a downward spiral or inactivity which can cause the spine and areas around it weaken. However, patients should always consult their doctor before doing any kind of physical activity following a spinal surgery to ensure proper recovery. Additionally, if patients are struggling with a training plan provided to them by the doctor – consulting a physical therapist is a good plan of action.

It’s possible for patients to experience some post-surgical symptoms following minimally invasive spine surgery. “Flat back” syndrome refers to the dysfunction of back extensors – this is a result of the disc atrophying. While this syndrome is less likely to occur in minimally invasive surgeries, it is still a possibility. Another symptom is referred to as “sway back” in which a patient can experience irregular posture related to pelvic alignment or trunk weakness. In most cases, these and other symptoms can be rectified through physical therapy to strengthen and correct the associated muscles.

Patients who have gone through a spinal surgical procedure may show signs of some residual pain. This residual discomfort is normal and can be alleviated with pain control strategies lead by a physical therapist. Through manual therapy, patients are instructed through proper motions that can reduce centralized pain. They are also taught which postures to avoid so that the spine is not stressed – bad posture can lead to injury and reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. In addition, stimulations like the introduction of ice can help to sooth and in turn help with pain management.

While the end goals of spine surgery are to alleviate pain and provide a patient with the freedom they once had – patients should not overlook the importance of physical therapy after a procedure. Patients who experience large amounts of pain relief may think they are in the clear, but muscle function is not always at the level it should be. Back muscles can become weak and should be strengthened as they directly influence the spine and joint functions. This holds true for patients who are in good physical condition. In order to maximize the benefits from surgery, patients should seek physical therapy to improve recovery time and prevent future problems from arising.